Mechanism for vending cylindrical products



June 1965 E. c. JOHNSON ETAL 3,190,493

MECHANISM FOR VENDING CYLINDRICAL PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 20, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I, J a

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E/mer 61 Johnson 24 BY Hertz/f L, Ike/Aer -j y- Z Z ATTORNE .9.

June 22, 1965 c. JOHNSON ETAL 3,190,493

MECHANISM FQR VENDING 'CYLINDRICAL PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 20, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'II M. few e #7 /42 BY fler'bem L. Ke/Aer June 22, 1965 E. c. JOHNSON ETAL 3,190,493

MECHANISM FOR VENDING CYLINDRICAL PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 20, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. E/Mf' 6S J0/7/750/7 Herbefi/ L. /(e//e/' MECHANISM FOR VENDING CYLINDRICAL PRODUCTS Filed Aug. 20, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 k zav m 2/0 W A n 1NVENTOR5.

United States Patent 3,190,493 MEQHANESM FQR VENDHNG CYLHNDRICAL PRODUCTS Elmer C. Johnson, Raytown, and Herbert L. Keller, Independence, Mm, assignors to The Vendo Company,

Kansas City, Mr, a corporation of Missouri Filed Aug. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 218,077 8 Claims. (Cl. 221125) This invention relates to coin-actuated merchandising apparatus and, more particularly, to a machine adapted for vending individual articles of a large variety of canned goods upon the deposit of proper coinage in associated coin-actuated mechanism.

The present invention provides structure for selectively dispensing merchandise of various types which are capable of being packed in conventional cylindrical cans or the like. In this respect, the present invention is especially adapted for the vending of canned foods normally purchased by a consumer in supermarkets and grocery stores, and which are provided with printed wrappers or the like thereon identifying the contents thereof.

Reaction by the buying public to the selective vending of numerous articles from vending machines heretofore utilized has strengthened the contention that consumers of all types are becoming more aware of the convenience and advantages of vending machines, especially since such machines may be placed in locations obviating travel to distant points for the acquisition of the articles dispensed thereby. In addition, retailers are becoming more conscious of profits realized in using vending machines, since a much larger number of articles can now be offered to the buying public than was heretofore possible, and without the employment or" additional sales personnel other than attendants for keeping an adequate stock of merchandise in the machines.

In view of the many foodstuffs which are packed in cans, it has come to the realization of grocery retailers that vending machines may be ideally employed in dispensing canned goods, especially since a large number of different types of foodstuffs can be vended and the machines may be located in confined areas so that consumers need not traverse relatively large distances, such as is required in supermarkets, in order to make their requisite purchases. Thus, the shopping time of the consumer is reduced without sacrificing the number or types of articles which may be offered to him for purchase.

The present invention has been directed to the purpose of filling the need for a machine for vending canned goods and to this end, provides a machine for vending a large variety of merchandise packed in cans and stocked in the machine so that the identification means thereon may be observed by the consumer prior to the actuation of the machine. The present invention is also constructed so that only one can at a time may be vended after the deposit of proper coinage in associated coin-actuated mechanism has been made, While at the same time, jackpotting of the machine during each vend cycle may not occur by virtue of structure obviating such an occurrence.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide coin-actuated merchandising apparatus for vending a large variety of merchandise packed in cans and disposed in visually observable positions for the convenience of prospective purchasers whereby the apparatus is especially adapted for vending canned foodstuffs normally obtainable only at supermarkets and grocery stores and the apparatus may be placed in regions not served by or distant from such supermarkets and grocery stores to serve the buying public as well as enhance the profit margin of grocery retailers.

A further object of the present invention is the pro- Patented June 22, 1965 vision of apparatus of the type described which is provided with coin-actuated mechanism thereon having means for varying the prices at which the canned goods are to be vended so that different canned goods at different prices may be vended from the same or different article dispensing positions at different times as required for a particular locality in which the machine is disposed.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the aforesaid character which is constructed in a manner to display the items to be vended for the convenience of a prospective purchaser and to provide ready access to the items upon purchase thereof, while at the same time obviating access to the items without the deposit of proper coinage in the associated coinactuated mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a machine of the type described which is inherently flexible in design characteristics to accommodate a relatively large number of can sizes, whereby substantially all of the standard size cans now utilized for packaging foodstuffs, may be dispensed from the apparatus of the present invention without modification thereto.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a machine for vending canned goods wherein the cans are stocked in the machine on an inclined shelf and move by gravitation toward and against shiftable retainer means normally blocking the path of travel of the cans and operably coupled to the associated coin-actuated mechanism, whereby the purchaser, upon the deposit of proper coinage in the coin-actuated mechanism, may manually shift the retainer means out of the path of travel of the cans and remove the lowermost can from the shelf without being able to remove any of the remaining cans until the machine is actuated once again.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a machine of the type described which includes a number of vertically spaced shelves normally supporting canned goods of various types, and wherein is included means for preventing actuation of the retainer means of each shelf when the retainer means of another shelf is actuated whereby a purchaser is capable only of removing the lowermost can corresponding to one of the shelves at any one time upon proper deposit of coinage in the coin-actuated mechanism of the machine, and thus is prevented from gaining access to the canned goods of the remaining shelves until the vend cycle of the machine has been completed.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of the machine for vending canned goods which forms the subject of the present invention and illustrating the positions of cans therein disposed for subsequent purchase, parts being broken away and in section to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. !2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the upper part of the machine and illustrating the various working parts thereof during the initial phases of the vend cycle after proper coinage has been deposited in associated coin-actuated mechanism;

FIG. 3 is substantially the view of the machine shown in FIG. 2, but illustrating the working par-ts in that portion of the vend cycle permitting a can to be removed from the machine after clearing the various obstructions from the path of travel of the cans;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the side of the machine opposite to the side illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and showing the relative positions of article-retainer means for each of a pair of vertically spaced, inclined, can-supporting shelves, with one of the retainer means 3 being disposed to permit the removal of a can from the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front view of the machine illustrating the retainer means on each of a pair of upright series of can-supporting shelves and showing the identification and price of the cans disposed on each shelf, parts being broken away and in section to illustrate details of construction;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine showing the interior thereof with the retainer means of one shelf across the path of travel of the cans thereof, and the retainer means of another shelf clearing the path of travel to permit the removal of the lowermost can from the shelf;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the structure associated with each shelf for retaining the remaining cans on a shelf while the lowermost can is being manually removed therefrom to thereby prevent jackpotting of the machine;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the lock means including a solenoid for preventing actuation of the machine until proper coinage has been placed in associated coin-actuated mechanism thereof, parts being broken away and in section to illustrate details of construction; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the coin-actuated mechanism operably coupled with the m chine for actuating the latter upon the deposit of proper coinage in the coin-receiving slot of the machine.

The present invention provides a machine for dispen ing individual cans of merchandise supported on a number of vertically spaced, inclined shelves only upon the proper deposit of coinage in associated coin-actuated mechanism. Retainer means for each shelf normally blocks the path of travel of the cans thereon so that shifting of the article-retaining means out of the path permits the lowermost can to be grasped and removed from the shelf. The retainer means is operably coupled with lock means energized only by the proper deposit of coinage in the mechanism so that access to the cans on each shelf is prevented until a prospective purchaser has inserted the coinage in the coin slot of the machine. In addition, means is provided for permitting access to only one can at a time on any one shelf when the machine is actuated so that the vend cycle of the machine must be completed before another article or can may be removed from the machine by a purchaser.

The machine which forms the subject of the present invention is broadly denoted by the numeral 10, and includes a frame 12 provided with article-supporting structure in the nature of a plurality of vertically spaced, inclined shelves 14, as is clear in FIGS. 1 and 6 Shelves 14 are interconnected by a pair of upright side panels 16 and 18 adjacent the lowermost ends thereof, and a pair of upright strips 20 and 22 adjacent the upper ends thereof, as is clear in FIGS. 1 and 4. Frame 12 may be disposed in any suitable amnner upon a base 24 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, and panels 16 and 18, as well as strips 20 and 22, extend upwardly from base 24. Each shelf 14 is adapted to support a number of articles such as conventional cylindrical cans 26 disposed on the sides thereof so that the same will gravitate to the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf when the lowermost can 26 is removed therefrom.

Frame 12 is constructed so that the same is open adjacent the upper ends of shelves 14 'so that machine may be stocked from the end of the machine corresponding to the upper ends of shelves 14, which end of the machine is normally the rear of the machine.

It is to be noted that each shelf 14 is provided with flange structure 28 for assuring that the cans 26 remain thereon. In addition, panels 16 and 18 may be provided with flange means 29 at each of the upright, longitudinal edges thereof extending outwardly therefrom to add rigidity to panel 16, as well as to permit interconnection of machine 10 with like structure.

Means for releasably retaining cans 26 on a corresponding shelf 14 includes lever means 30 having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs 32 and 34 (FIGS. 1 and 4), and a retaining portion 36 interconnecting proximal ends of legs 32 and 34. The opposite ends of legs 32 and 34 are swingably mounted on panels 16 and 18 respectively, at a location adjacent the flange means 29 at the rear edges of panels 16 and 18. A coil spring 42, coupled with legs 34 (FIG. 4) and to side 18 in any suitable manner such as by an ear 44, biases lever means 38 upwardly into a position so that portion 36 is normally disposed across the downwardly inclined path of travel of cans 26 on the corresponding shelf 14.

Legs 32 and 34 are provided with cars 46 and 48 respectively, thereon intermediate the ends thereof, cars 46 and 48 projecting upwardly from legs 32 and 34 provided with pins 50 and 52 which extend laterally from ears 46 and 48 away from panels 16 and 18 respectively. Pins 56 and 52 are received within L-shaped slots 54 and 56 in swingable elements 58 and 6t pivoted on panels 16 and 18 respectively by screws 62 and 64. Element 60 is biased upwardly by a coil spring 66 secured to the ear 44 corresponding to the lever means 30 of the next adjacent shelf 14.

Element 58 is provided with a pin 68 thereon in spaced relationship to the screw 62 pivotally mounting the same on panel 16. In addition, element 58 is provided with an arm 70 normally projecting rearwardly of machine 10 and having a projection 72 thereon extending laterally therefrom away from panel 16. Slots 54 and 56 are configured in elements 58 and 60 so that when lever means 30 is depressed, pins 50 and 52 move to one extremity of slots 54 and 56, as is clear in FIGS. 3 and 4 Pins 50 and 52 thus serve to swing elements 58 and 60 with respect to panels 16 and 18 so that arm 70 swings downwardly, and the extremities 74 and 76 of elements 58 and 6t) swings upwardly when lever means 30 is shifted downwardly.

A latching member 78 is also pivotally mounted on panel 16 by means of screw 62 and is juxtaposed on element 58 as is clear in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. A portion of member 78 is removed to define a shoulder 80 in spaced relationship to the axis of pivoting movement thereof and disposed to retain pin 50 as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1 when lever means 30 is depressed through a predetermined distance.

A pin 82 is carried by member 78 and extends laterally therefrom for engaging a flat spring 84 secured to an upright flange 86 mounted on panel 16. In addition, member 78 is provided with a pin 88 which projects through a slot 90 in panel 16 and is positioned in the downwardly inclined path of travel of cans 26 of the corresponding shelf 14 when member 78 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Member 78 is swingable in a clockwise sense when viewing FIG. 1 so that pin 88 traverses the length of slot 90 and pin 82 moves over spring 84 and is releasably retained by the upper portion 92 thereof. Although the working parts of only a single lever means has been described, it is clear that such description applies equally well to the lever means 30 corresponding to any of the shelves 14 of machine 10.

Lock means is provided on machine 10 for preventing the actuation thereof until the proper coinage has been placed in coin-actuated mechanism associated therewith. Such lock means includes an elongated bar 94 carried between flange 86 and a similar flange 96 for movement relative to panel 16 through a predetermined vertical distance.

Bar 94 is provided with a rectangular aperture 98 therein for normally receiving an extension 100 forming one leg of an L-shaped member 102 pivotally mounted at 104 on an ear 106 mounted in any suitable manner on flange 108 secured to the outer surface of panel 16. Member 102 is coupled by means of a link 110 with the shiftable core 112 of an electrically actuated solenoid 114 secured in any suitable manner on a platform 116 rigid to panel 16. A coil spring 118 biases member 102 so that extension 100 is normally maintained within aperture 98.

Bar 94 is provided with a series of recesses 120 formed therein along one longitudinal edge thereof, each recess 120 corresponding to a lever means 30 and thereby, a pin 68 on a corresponding element 58. Each recess 120 defines an upright edge 122 and a pair of transverse edges 124 below edge 122, edges 124 defining a pin receiving slot in bar 94.

So long as extension 100 remains within aperture 98, the pin 68 of any-of elements 58 is prevented from entering the slot formed by the corresponding edges 124 since bar 94 must necessarily move downwardly as the corresponding element 58 pivots about the corresponding screw 62. When extension 1111] moves out of aperture 98, bar 94 is free to move downwardly as a pin 68 is received within the slot formed by edges 124 so that the corresponding element 58 is free to move downwardly when the corresponding lever means 30 is depressed.

Bar 94 is normally biased upwardly by a coil spring 126 secured to flange 96 and to the lower end of bar 94 in any suitable manner. To assure that only a single lever means 30 is capable of being depressed when extension 1% is moved out of aperture 98, a series of links 128 is carried in superimposed relationship over bar 94 and retained thereon by a continuous channel member 130 secured to flange 96 by fastening means 132. Links 128 are thus capable of limited movement along a vertical path and relative to bar 94. The lowermost link 128 is biased upwardly by a coil spring 134 secured in any suitable manner to flange 96 and to the lowermost portion of the link.

Each link 1128 is provided with an upper beveled edge 136 which is engaged by an adjacent pin 68 when machine It is in an inoperative condition. Moreover, each link 128 is provided with an elongated recess 138 which corresponds to the major portion of a corresponding recess 121) in bar 94. Each link 128, is therefore, normally positioned so that the recess 138 thereof corresponds to and is aligned with the major portion of a recess 120 of bar 94. The inoperative positions of pins 68 with respect to recesses 120 and 138 are shown in FIG. 1, with pins 68 normally engaging edges 136 of the various links 128. It is to be noted that since the lowermost link 128 is biased upwardly, the link 128 thereabove will also be biased upwardly since the uppermost link 128 abuts the corresponding pin 68 to prevent upward movement of all of links 128.

It is evident that when one of the lever means 30 is depressed, the corresponding pin 68 will move downwardly about the axis of pivoting movement of the corresponding element 58. As a result, the pin 68 will move into the slot formed by edges 124 and will also depress the corresponding link 128 until lever 30 reaches the lower end of its path of travel.

Means for preventing retrograde movement of bar 94 and thereby lever means 30 as the latter is depressed, includes a ratchet member 140 and a pawl 142, each swingably mounted on panel 16 for movement about a horizontal axis. Member 140 is provided with a slot 144 which receives a pin 146 projecting outwardly from bar 94 so that member 1411 is pivoted about a pin 147 in a counterclockwise sense when viewing FIG. 1, as bar 94 moves downwardly under the action of a corresponding pin 68. Pawl 142 is provided with a tip 148 which engages the teeth 156 on member 140 in such a way to prevent clockwise movement of member 140 as the latter rotates in a counterclockwise sense until such time as pin 50 of a corresponding element 58 is latched below shoulder 80 of the respective latching member 78. Tip 148 is then adjacent the inclined edge 151 of member 140 and out of engagement with teeth 150. Similarly, tip 148 engages teeth 150 in such a way to prevent counterclockwise movement of member 140 as the latter rotates in a clockwise sense when bar 94 returns to the initial position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1, whereupon, tip 148 is adjacent inclined edge 153 of member 140. A coil spring 152 normally retains pawl 142 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, while at the same time permitting the same to rotate into positions preventing retrograde movements of member 140. As bar 94 moves upwardly, member pivots in a clockwise sense and pawl 142 is oriented to prevent counterclockwise movement of member 140 until the latter is once again in the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

Means for preventing the remaining cans 26 of a corresponding shelf 14 from machine 10 as the lowermost can 26 is removed, includes a bar 154 (FIGS. 6 and 7) rigid to elements 58 and 60 by means of a shaft 156 extending outwardly therefrom in opposed directions along one longitudinal edge thereof and received within keyed openings 158 in elements 58 and 60. Screws 62 and 64 are threaded axially in shaft 156 to interconnect the latter with elements 58 and 6t). Screws 169 extend transversely through bar 154 and interconnect the latter with shaft 156. Suitable recesses are formed to clear the heads of screws 160. Bar 154 is thus provided with a longitudinal edge 162 which swings in an arc in a clockwise sense when viewing FIGS. 1 and 6 into the path of travel of cans 26 as lever 30 is depressed. Edge 162 thus engages the can 26 next adjacent the lowermost can 26 and prevents movement of the said adjacent can to the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf 14 until lever means 30 has been returned to its initial position. The width of bar 154 is selected so as to accommodate cans 26 having diameters within a predetermined range of values.

An electrical switch 164 is carried in any suitable man her on panel 16 adjacent the lowermost end thereof, and provided with a shiftable arm 166 normally engaged by projection 168 extending outwardly from the lower end of bar 94. Switch 164 is a single-pole, double-throw switch operably coupled with the coin-actuated switches of a coin-actuated mechanism associated with machine 18 and hereinafter described.

An electrical single-pole, single-throw switch 170 is carried by panel 16 adjacent each element 58 and pro vided with a shiftable arm 172 normally engaged by projection 72 of arm 71 of the corresponding element 58. Switch 171 is normally open when arm 172 is engaged by projection 72. Upon downward movement of arm 70, projection 72 moves oif arm 72 and thus, switch 170 closes to complete a circuit to be described.

In FIG. 9, switches 170 associated with the various shelves 14 are shown operably coupled with coin-actuated mechanism broadly denoted by the numeral 174- which includes switches 176, 178 and 189 actuated when various denominations of coins are inserted within the coin slot of machine 10. For instance, switch 176 is designed to be actuated by a 25 piece, switch 178 by a 10 piece, and switch 180 by a Sgt piece, all of which coins are inserted within the coin slot of machine 11).

Mechanism 174 further includes a pulse motor 182 operably coupled with a post switch 184 for actuating the latter in discrete steps when motor 182 is energized. A stepper mechanism 186 includes an add coil 1% and a re-set coil 190 and is stepped a predetermined interval each time switch 184 is pulsed.

Switches 170 are shown operably coupled to stepper mechanism 186 by leads 192, 194 and 196, there being only three such switches 170 illustrated, although a greater or lesser number may be employed, depending upon the number of shelves 14 in machine 10. Switches 170 are interconnected by leads 198 and 2410 as shown in FIG. 9, and the shiftable pole 202 of one of the switches 170 is coupled by means of lead 204 to a sta- 7 tionary pole of switch 180. Leads 296 and 208 interconnect switch 188 with switch 178, and switch 178 with switch 176 respectively, the latter switch being coupled with switch 164 by a lead 210, and switch 164 being coupled by means of a lead 212 to a terminal 214 adapted to be coupled to a source of electrical power.

Leads 192, 194 and 196, although shown on various fixed poles of mechanism 186, may well be coupled with the same or different poles as illustrated, depending upon the products to be vended by machine 10.

The shiftable pole 216 of mechanism 186 is coupled with one end of the coil 218 of solenoid 114 by a lead 226, and coil 218 is coupled through a lead 222 to a terminal 224 adapted to be connected to the aforesaid source of electrical power. Motor 182 is coupled by means of a lead 226 to lead 222, and by a lead 228 to one pole of switch 176. Switch 184 is coupled to lead 228 by a lead 230, and to coil 188 by means of a lead 232. A lead 234 interconnects coils 188 with a lead 236 coupled with terminal 224. Similarly, a lead 238 couples coil 190 with lead 236, and a lead 240 couples coil 190 with a switch 242, the latter being in turn operably coupled with the coin acceptance solenoid 244 of mechanism 174. A lead 246 couples solenoid 244 to lead 236, and a lead 248 interconnects solenoid 244 with switch 164.

A coin-return electromagnet 250 is coupled by lead 252 to lead 236, and to lead 210 by lead 254. A coinreturn switch 256 is coupled with switch 242 by lead 258, and to a coin-return solenoid 260 by a lead 262. A lead 264 couples solenoid 260 with lead 236.

Operation Machine 10 is initially stocked with cans 26 on the various shelves 14 from the rear, so that cans 26 gravitate to the positions illustrated in FIG. 1. Lever means 30 of each shelf 14 therefore, blocks the path of travel of cans 26 and the lowermost can 26 engages portion 36 and is retained thereby.

After a purchaser has selected the type of merchandise to be vended, he inserts the proper coinage in the coin slot of machine 16 and the coins actuate one or more of switches 176, 178 or 180 to cause pole to step to a position wherein the same will be operably coupled with a switch 170. Actuation of one of switches 170 serves to energize solenoid 114 to thereby retract extension 180 and permit bar 94 to move downwardly under the influence of one of the pins 68. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each portion 36 is provided with a groove 266 for receiving an identifying label 268 indicating the type of merchandise handled by a particular shelf 14, and a price tag 27 adjacent label 268 indicating the price of each unit of merchandise on the shelf 14. A finger-engaging extension 272 projects forwardly of portion 36 to facilitate the depressing action of the corresponding lever means 38.

If a 25 piece is inserted into the coin slot, switch 176 is actuated to energize motor 182, and, as a result, switch 184 is pulsed a number of times until pole 216 is brought into electrical contact with lead 192. Mechanism 174 is constructed in such a manner that if a 10 piece is deposited in the coin slot, the coin will successively actuate switches 178 and 188 and thus pulse coil 188 two times to in turn cause pole 216 to shift through two discrete intervals. If a piece is deposited, only switch 180 is actuated and thus coil 188 will be pulsed only once.

If a 25 piece is inserted in the slot, the electrical circuit for pulse motor 182 is terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 210, switch 176, lead 226, motor 182, lead 226, lead 222 and terminal 224. The circuit for energizing coil 188 is the same as for motor 182 except that from lead 228, the circuit includes lead 230, switch 184, lead 232, coil 188, leads 234 and 236 and terminal 224.

In the event that a piece is inserted into the slot, the circuit for energizing coil 188 is terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 210, switch 176, lead 208, switch 178, lead 231, switch 184, lead 232, coil 188, leads 234 and 236, and terminal 224. If pole 216 contacts lead 192, then lever means 30 corresponding to articles vended at the 25 price is then capable of being depressed since its switch 178 will be actuated to make electrical contact with lead 192 when arm 70 is moved downwardly so as to move projectlon 72 thereof off arm 172 of switch 170. However, before lever means 38 may be shifted to the lower end of its path of travel, extension 188 must be retracted from aperture 98 and this occurs when coil 218 is energized through the circuit of terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 210, switch 176, lead 288, switch 178, lead 286, switch 188, lead 284, switch 170, lead 192, pole 216, lead 220, coil 218, lead 222 and terminal 224. As lever means 30 is initially depressed, arm 172 is disengaged by projection 72, but switch 164- remains in the position shown in FIG. 9 until lever means 30 has been depressed through a predetermined distance.

Assuming that the proper coinage has been placed in the coin slot of machine 10, and that coil 218 has been energized, the depression of one of the lever means 30 is sufficient to cause the corresponding pin 68 to move into the slot formed by edges 124 in bar 94 to shift the latter downwardly into the position illustrated in FIG. 2. During the downward movement of bar 94, member is shifted in a counterclockwise sense when viewing FIG. 2, and tip 148 of pawl 142 engages teeth 150 to prevent retrograde movement of lever means 38 and bar 84 until pin 50 is latched beneath shoulder 88 of member '78. Thus, if the purchasers hand slips off lever means 38 as the latter is moving downwardly, there will be no upward movement of the lever means 30. It is to be noted that the corresponding link 128 also moves downwardly under the influence of pin 68 to in turn shift the links 128 therebelow in the same direction. Lever means 30 is depressed to a position such that portion 36 moves out of the path of travel of the lowermost can 26 and thus clears the latter to permit the lowermost can 26 to be grasped by the purchaser and lifted slightly while being drawn outwardly from shelf 14 substantially in the direction of movement of the cans along the corresponding shelf 14. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 which show the lowermost can 26 about to be removed from its position at the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf 14. As lever means 30 is depressed, bar 154 is swung downwardly so that edge 162 thereof will bear against the external surface of the can 26 next adjacent the lowermost can 26. Thus, the remaining cans 26 on a particular shelf 14 are prevented from movement until bar 154 is again swung upwardly when lever means 38 has been returned to its initial position.

As long as pin 50 is beneath shoulder 80, lever means 30 may not move back to its initial position until pin 88 has been lifted such as by the removal of the lowermost can 26. Thus, should lever means 38 be accidentially released before the lowermost can 26 has been removed, the lever means 30 will not return to its equilibrium position. As shown in FIG. 5, pin 88 normally projects in the path of travel of cans 26, and as to the lowermost can engages pin 88 to force the latter upwardly to swing members 78 in a clockwise sense to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. After the lowermost can 26 has been removed, lever means 30 is drawn upwardly toward its equilibrium position by the biasing force of spring 42 coupled with leg 34, and extremity 74 engages pin 88 to force the latter downwardly and thereby swing member 78 in a counterclockwise sense until pin 82 clears portion 92 of spring 84 whereupon member 78 is returned to its initial position as illustrated in FIG. 1.

So long as pin 68 in within the slot formed by edges 124, the corresponding link 128 is forced downwardly so that the remaining links 128 are also moved downwardly. Thus, the remaining pins 68 are received within recesses 138 and are prevented from moving into the corresponding slots in bar 94 defined by edges 124. It can be seen that by virtue of the construction of links 128, only a single lever means 30 may be actuated at any one time, thus preventing access to the cans 26 on adjacent shelves when machine ltl is actuated.

As lever means 30 returns to its initial position, bar 94 is also moved upwardly to thereby cause member 140 to swing in a clockwise sense, and into coupled relationship with pawl 142. By virtue of the construction of member 140 and pawl 142, downward movement of lever means 30 is prevented after the same has been moved upwardly toward its initial position, and before the smallest can 26 can pass beneath bar 154 toward lever means 30. Member 140 and pawl 142 remain coupled until bar 94 is locked in place by the movement of extension 100 into aperture 98 of bar 94, after which time tip 148 of pawl 142 will have moved out of engagement with teeth 150 and will be disposed adjacent edge 153, as is shown in FIG. 1. Thus, access to remaining cans 26 is prevented since lever means 30 is prevented from movement back into the position thereof shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, as lever means 30 moves upwardly, bar 154 also swings in a counterclockwise sense to clear the next adjacent can 26 and thus permits all of the cans of the particular shelf 14 to gravitate until the adjacent can 26 assumes the lowermost position in abutment with portion 36 of lever means 30. All of the links 123 move upwardly under the biasing force of spring 134 after pin 68 has been moved upwardly under the influence of the upward movement of lever means 30.

Switch 16-4 is actuated upon downward movement of bar 94 to place solenoid 244 in series with the electrical power source connected with terminals 214 and 224. Thus, the circuit to coil 218 is interrupted and extension 1069 is biased so as to return to its initial position within aperture 98 when bar 94 returns to its initial position. It is to be noted that the circuit to coil 218 is interrupted as bar 94 is moving downwardly under the influence of the downwardly moving lever means 30. However, the aperture 8 will have moved a distance preventing the return of extension 106 therewithin until bar 94 has moved upwardly at the close of the vend cycle of machine '10.

Solenoid 244 is energized through the circuit containing terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 248, solenoid 244, leads 246 and 2-36, and terminal 224. When solenoid 244 is energized, switch 242 is actuated to energize coil 190 through the circuit containing terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 248, switch 242, lead 240, coil .190, leads 238 and 236, and terminal 224. When coil 190 is energized, pole .216 is returned to its initial position, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Electromagnet 251) is energized through terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164, lead 210, lead 254, electromagnet 25!), lead 252, lead 236 and terminal 224. So long as electromagnet 251) is energized, coins placed in the coin slot during the vend cycle of machine will be returned to the coin-return slot of machine .10 and thus, the purchaser will not lose these coin-s. In the event that the purchaser desires return of his coins prior to actuating machine 10 by depressing one of the lever means 30, switch 256 is actuated so as to energize solenoid 260 through the circuit containing terminal 214, lead 212, switch 164-, lead 210, switch .176, lead 208, switch 178, lead 206, switch 180, lead 204, switch 170, lead 198, switch 170, lead 200, switch 170, lead 201, switch 256, lead 262, solenoid 260, lead 264, lead 236, and terminal 224.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A vending machine comprising:

a frame;

an inclined shelf carried by said frame for supporting a number of articles to be vended and disposed for permitting gravitational movement of said articles in one direction toward a visually observable,

16 customer accessible station adjacent the lowermost end thereof;

lever means including a leg swingably mounted adjacent one end thereof on said frame and a retaining portion secured to said leg adjacent the opposite end thereof, said lever means being biased to normally maintain said retaining portion in a first position adjacent said lowermost end of the shelf in eugagement with and blocking customer access to an article at said station and across the path of travel of the articles to prevent further gravitational movement of the articles toward said station, said lever means being manually shiftable to effect swinging of the leg and thereby shifting of said retaining portion to a second position in continued blocking relationship to gravitational movement of the articles on the shelf but permitting manual removal in said one direction of the lowermost article from said shelf;

means carried by said frame and coupled with said lever means for preventing the removal of the remaining articles from said shelf when said lever means is in said second position and after the lowermost article has been removed; and

control means including coin-actuated mechanism operably coupled with said lever means for permitting the movement of the retaining portion to said second position only after the deposit of proper coinage in said coin-actuated mechanism has been made.

2. A vending machine comprising:

a frame;

an inclined shelf carried by the frame for supporting a number of articles to be vended and disposed for permitting gravitational movement of said articles in one direction toward a visually observable, customer accessible station adjacent the lowermost end thereof;

lever means shiftably mounted on said frame at said station and normally disposed in a first position blocking customer access to an article at said station and preventing further gravitational movement of the articles toward the station, said lever means being manually shiftable to a second position in continued blocking relationship to gravitational movement of the articles on the shelf but permitting manual removal in said one direction of the lowermost article from said shelf;

structure shiftably carried by said frame and movable with said lever means for maintaining the article adjacent to said lowermost article in a substantially fixed location until said lever means has returned to said first position after said lever means has been shifted to said second position and said lowermost article has been removed from the shelf; and

control means including coin-actuated mechanism operably coupled with said lever means for permitting the movement of the latter to said second position only after the deposit of proper coinage in said coinactuated mechanism has been made.

3. A vending machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein said structure includes an article-engaging member mounted for movement across the path of travel of the articles as said lever means moves to said second position.

4. A vending machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein said article-engaging member comprises a bar swingably mounted along on longitudinal edge thereof on said frame and engageable at the opposite longitudinal edge thereof with the article adjacent to said lowermost article.

5. A vending machine comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of vertically spaced, inclined shelves mounted on said frame, each of said shelves being adapted for supporting a number of articles to be vented and disposed for permitting gravitational movement of said articles in one direction to the lowermost end thereof;

customer accessible, manually operable lever means for each shelf respectively and shiftably mounted on the frame for movement from a first, article-retaining position adjacent the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf to a second, article-clearing position, said lever means being normally disposed in said first position across the path of travel of said articles for preventing the removal of the lowermost article from the shelf and being movable to said second position for permitting the lowermost article to be grasped and removed from the shelf substantially in said direction;

means coupled with each lever means for preventing the removal of the remaining articles from the corresponding shelf when the lever means is in said second position thereof and after said lowermost article has been removed;

control means including coin-actuated mechanism on said frame operably coupled with the lever means of each shelf respectively for permitting the movement of the lever means of only one shelf at a time and only after the deposit of proper coinage in said coinactuated mechanism has been made; and

a member swingably mounted on said frame adjacent the lowermost end of each shelf respectively, each member having an articleengaging projection thereon and an edge providing a shoulder therefor, each lever means being provided with pin means thereon movable therewith as the same moves to said second position for engaging the shoulder to releasably hold said lever means in said second position and thereby prevent the return of said lever means to said first position until the lowermost article moves said projection and swings said member to a disposition releasing said lever means as the lowermost article is removed from the corresponding shelf.

6. A vending machine comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of vertically spaced, inclined shelves mounted on said frame, each of said shelves being adapted for supporting a number of articles to be vended and disposed for permitting gravitational movement of said articles in one direction to the lowermost end thereof;

customer accessible, manually operable lever means for each shelf respectively and shiftably mounted on the frame for movement from a first, article-retaining position adjacent the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf to a second, article-clearing psition, said lever means being normally disposed in said first position across the path of travel of said articles for preventing the removal of the lowermost article from the shelf and being movable to said second position for permitting the lowermost article to be grasped and removed from the shelf substantially in said direction;

means coupled with each lever means for preventing the removal of the remaining articles from the corresponding shelf when the lever means is in said second position thereof and after said lowermost article has been removed;

control means including coin-actuated mechanism on said frame and operably coupled with the lever means of each shelf respectively for permitting the movement of the lever means of only one shelf at a time and only after the deposit of proper coinage in said coinactuated mechanism has been made; and

a member swingably mounted on said frame adjacent 7. A vending machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein is provided resilient means on said frame and engageable with the member for releasably maintaining the same in said second location until said projection is engaged by said structure.

8. A vending machine comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of vertically spaced,

inclined shelves mounted on said frame, each of said shelves being adapted for supporting a number of articles to be vended and disposed for permitting gravitational movement of said articles in one direction to the lowermost end thereof;

customer accessible, manually operable lever means for each shelf respectively and shiftably mounted on the frame for movement from a first, article-retaining position adjacent the lowermost end of the corresponding shelf to a second, article-clearing position, said lever means being normally disposed in said first position across the path of travel of said article for preventing the removal of the lowermost article from the shelf and being movable to said second position for permitting the lowermost article to be grasped and removed from the shelf substantially in said direction;

bar pivotally mounted along one longitudinal edge thereof on said frame and movable into the path of travel of said articles between the lowermost article and the article adjacent thereto for engagement at the opposite longitudinal edge thereof with said adjacent article in response to the movement of said lever means to said second position, whereby to prevent the removal of the remaining articles from the c0rresponding shelf, said bar being disposed for movement out of said path of travel after said lever means has returned to the first position thereof, whereby said adjacent article may gravitate to the lowermost end of the shelf and engage said lever means to be retained thereby; and

control means including coin-actuated mechanism on said frame and operably coupled with the lever means on each shelf respectively for permitting the movement of the lever means of only one shelf at a time and only after the deposit of proper coinage in said coin-actuated mechanism has been made.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,008,429 11/11 Osmer.

1,816,341 7/31 Petersen.

1,827,900 10/31 Morrison 221298 X 1,841,926 1/32 Zuehl 221298 X 1,944,499 1/ 34 Crimp 221-298 X 2,232,619 2/41 MacCartee et al. 22l298 X 2,272,669 2/42 Johnson 221-298 2,353,496 7/44 Pease 221298 2,628,875 2/53 Ossanna 312-45 2,686,583 8/54 Marder 312-42 2,727,654 12/55 Childers et al. 221130 X 2,819,815 1/58 Stumbaugh 221 2,880,904 4/59 Linthicum 221-125 2,993,623 7/ 61 Bendot 221298 LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

7 HADD S. LANE, Examiner. 

1. A VENDING MACHINE COMPRISING: A FRAME; AN INCLINED SHELF CARRIED BY SAID FRAME FOR SUPPORTIN A NUMBER OF ARTICLES TO BE VENDED AND DISPOSED FOR PERMITTING GRAVITATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ARTICLES IN ONE DIRECTION TOWARD A VISUALLY OBSERVABLE, CUSTOMER ACCESSIBLE STATION ADJACENT THE LOWERMOST END THEREOF; LEVER MEANS INCLUDING A LEG SWINGABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF ON SAID FRAME AND A RETAINING PORTION SECURED TO SAID LEG ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, SAID LEVER MEANS BEING BIASED TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN SAID RETAINING PORTION IN A FIRST POSITION ADJACENT SAID LOWERMOST END OF THE SHELF IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BLOCKING CUSTOMER ACCESS TO AN ARTICLE AT SAID STATION AND ACROSS THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE ARTICLES TO PREVENT FURTHER GRAVITATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLE TOWARD SAID STATION, SAID LEVER MEANS BEING MANUALLY SHIFTABLE TO EFFECT SWINGING OF THE LEG AND THEREBY SHIFTING OF SAID RETAINING PORTION TO A SECOND POSITION INCONTINUED BLOCKING RELATIONSHIP TO GRAVITATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLES ON THE SHELF BUT PERMITTING MANUAL REMOVAL IN SAID ONE DIRECTION OF THE LOWERMOST ARTICLE FROM SAID SHELF; MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AND COUPLED WITH SAID LEVER MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE REMOVAL OF THE REMAINING ARTICLES FROM SAID SHELF WHEN SAID LEVER MEANS IS IN SAID SECOND POSITION AND AFTER THE LOWERMOST ARTICLE HAS BEEN REMOVED; AND CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING COIN-ACTUATED MECHANISM OPERABLY COUPLED WITH SAID LEVER MEANS FOR PERMITTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE RETAINING PORTION OF SAID SECOND POSITION ONLY AFTER THE DEPOSIT OF PROPER COINAGE IN SAID COIN-ACTUATED MECHANISM HAS BEEN MADE. 